Chapter 11

Claire and Mo meet for the first time at Paul Rubin's house. She thanks him for the Garden. Paul is throwing a "Congratulatory reception" for Mo, formally recognizing him as the jury's choice architect. While there, Ariana backhandedly insults Mo and his design and there is a group picture to document the event. Mo is the only person who smiles.

After he leaves the party, Mo calls Laila Fathi, his lawyer, to have a drink. He knows that she is "not his type" but he wants the company never the less. While from different worlds, the two connect based on their shared Muslim heritage and culture and prejudice experiences. They leave the restaurant and head back to Laila's place. They have to be careful though; Laila believes that no affection can be displayed in public due to their professional relationship.

Claire looks at the group photo and is bitter that Khan did not express pure gratitude to her; she was expecting him to appreciate her pushing his design more. Claire then reads the Times Arts section where there is a column on the Garden. Traditionally a liberal author and audience, the article points out the similarities to Islamic gardens in the memorial. Some more conservative pieces are going as far as to call it a "martyrs paradise." People are being offended by the Garden now, looking at it as a slap to the face from the Islamic world; they think that this Garden will encourage more Muslims to commit act of terror.

Lou Sarge is a conservative radio pundit who the Gallagher family listens to. He believes that Khan may be conspiring to plant something (a bomb) in the Garden. The Governor comes on and addresses the idea of it being an Islamic Garden. She says that if it is, it may be "unconstitutional" and she will veto the jury's decision. Sean listens and while his family berates the Governor and complains he vows to crush the Garden for his mother's sake. He sees her pain first hand and can't stand to see one of her son's grave built by a Muslim. Sean thinks about his visit to Claire's house and hopes he scarred her. And he wishes he had thrown the rock into her house.